the Rappahannock River, asking them if any copy
of the will of William Paul, or that of William Paul Jones, could be
found in their records. Most of these Virginia county records were
destroyed during the Civil War. By great good fortune, however, those
of Spottsylvania County, in which the city of Fredericksburg is
situated, were preserved, and I herewith append a copy of the will of
William Paul, in which he bequeathes his property, making no mention of
any plantation and no mention of the name of William Jones, to his
sister, Mary Young, who afterward married Louden.

"In the name of God, Amen; I, William Paul, of the town of
Fredericksburg and County of Spottsylvania in Virginia--being in
perfect sound memory, thanks be to Almighty God, and knowing it is
appointed unto all men to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and
Testament in manner and form revoking all former will or wills by me
herebefore made.

"Principally and first of all, I recommend my soul to Almighty God who
gave it, hoping through the merits of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer
Jesus Christ to find Redemption, and as to touching and concerning
{293} what worldly estate it has pleased God to bless me with, I
dispose of it in the following manner:

"_Item_--It is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral
expenses be first paid by my Executors hereafter named, who are desired
to bury my body in a decent, Christian-like manner.

"_Item_--It is my will and desire that my Lots and Houses in this Town
be sold and converted into money for as much as they will bring, that
with all my other estate being sold and what of my out-standing debts
that can be collected, I give and bequeath unto my beloved sister Mary
Young, and her two eldest children and their heirs in Arbiglon in
Parish of Kirkbeen in Stewartry of Galloway, North Brittain, forever.
I do hereby empower my Executors to sell and convey the said land, lots
and houses and make a fee simple therein, as I could or might do in my
proper person, and I do appoint my friends Mr. William Templeman and
Isaac Heislop my Executors to see this my will executed, confirming
this to be my last will and testament. In Witness whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal as my last act and deed this
22nd day of March, 1772.

"WILLIAM PAUL (Seal)."

"William Paul having heard the above will distinctly read, declared the
same to be his last will and testament in the presence of us: